The PAA is very happy to share with our members this excellent book review written by Sunni Almond for “The Pilates Book Review and Discussion Club” (a closed Facebook group). It is reprinted here with the kind permission of Sunni and the book club.
The club is an international group of Pilates professionals who review ‘mind/body’ and ‘movement practices’ books, twice a month. Members are notified in advance which books the writers plan to review so that, if they wish, they can read them in advance and participate in the discussion that will follow the publication of the review.All members of the group are invited to make requests and/or share their own reviews of any relevant books, whether or not the books are on the reading list. They encourage all book lovers to join on in the fun, educational and fulfilling adventure.
You can request membership to the book club by searching for “The Pilates Book Review and Discussion Club” on Facebook.
Book Review: The Red Thread - The Integrated System and Variations of Pilates - The Mat
Author: Kathryn Ross-Nash
First published: 2015
Edition: 1st
Format: Paperback
Pages: A LOT! 358
Availability: Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/The-Red-Thread-Integrated-Variations/dp/099074650X
Description: The Mat manual of mat manuals
Review: I will start by saying that this book is EPIC! It is as if you attended the Mat portion of a comprehensive training, and you got to keep the teachers notes and crack open their brain and suck the info out, spoon fed it to yourself in manageable portions, as you digest every word, and the end result is that your personal work and your teaching become exponentially better for having perused, and studied this manual. Oh, and you get to keep the workshop at your side for looking back on and referencing.
This manual is PERFECT for the person, like me, who is bridging themselves from Contemporary to Classical. It fills in the gaps in your knowledge, linking each exercise to its companion on the reformer and other pieces of apparatus, as well as linking each exercise to the one prior and the ones after (skill building), AND it’s connection to all spinal movements. Hence the thread theory.
If you haven’t already figured it out in your personal study of Pilates, the spine shapes repeat everywhere in the studio. The exercises can be done almost anywhere in the studio and on any piece of apparatus, so it becomes exponentially clearer how, if you or your client is unable to perform something in one place, you can get the exact same work from somewhere else in the studio.
What does the body need? Here are your answers on how to see.
From the Introduction and loving words from Kathi to her family and friends, as well as to Kathi from world renowned Pilates teachers, through to the last few pages of pics from everyone you know, it is a book you won’t want to put down.
Yes, it is THE priciest paperback book out there; yes, it is worth every penny; yes, you will be afraid to touch it because it’s so pricey and biblical in nature to our industry, but then once you dig in and flip back and forth and begin to put the connections together, it becomes more friendly.
There is a bit of study involved to learn to use the book properly, but then the world of Pilates becomes your oyster and the pearls of wisdom just flow into your mind.
Table Of Contents lists every mat exercise, a suggestion of which exercise to add next for a balanced workout and the page number the exercise is located on. Also listed are the Transitions, Mat Flow Charts, Injuries and Issues (to do’s and not to do’s to inspire healing, or alternates) and finally Bibliographies.
Included, The Principles and their meaning in her subjective way, a bit deeper than you may have originally thought, and yes she states, that Joe didn’t come up with the principles, but that they are present.
Decoding the Pilates Lingo is a section on the verbiage.
Next is a section on Suggested precautions for Carpal tunnel, Bad Back, Neck and Shoulder situations, Knee issues, and Scoliosis.
Next is a Synopsis of Level Used, meaning the perspective of how the layering of information creates the strong foundation needed to perform and execute the exercises safely.
”It is the HOW and Depth of the work which dictates the students level – not the exercise.”
Then there are a few pages of instruction to get the best use of the manual.
The photos are brilliant and many, and are from the Teacher’s point of view, they show spotting techniques, what to look for, and how to cue simply and directly.
The Threads are: Stability, Articulation, Side Bending, Twisting, Rolling and Extension.
Each exercise is linked by Thread, by Order of Execution, and what to do if the next suggested exercise isn’t yet possible.
Repetitions, Point of Stability, Purpose, Add Next, Relationship to The Reformer are all included in depth. Connection to the prior exercise as well as to the next exercise are all included. Settings (how to position the body on the mat and whether or not a pole, straps, satellite boxes, etc. are used), Skill Level, it’s all there.
What to look for, Do’s, Don’ts, Major benefits, Building variations, and Challenge variations, all to reach the ultimate goal of the individual exercise, as well as prepare the body for the rest of the workout.
Near the end of the book is a 3 column page that lists the exercises in categories: Foundational, Core, Advanced. Then come all the flow charts, so you don’t have to flip back and forth, after you’re confident, you just go there.
Injuries and Issues have their own Flow Charts. The reminder is there for a medical clearance and Doctor’s ok, for working out.
Must Buy, Borrow or Steal, get your hot little hands on one ASAP, The holidays are coming, ask Santa If you’ve been good ;)) I need to add that the responsibility for doing this book justice has been enormous. I appreciate being trusted with the ability to glean the treasures inherent and present them in a way that entices you to buy. It will increase your knowledge base regardless of your current level of experience and ability. There is something for everyone here, batteries not included, you’ll just have to energize yourself, and you’ll want to.
Sunni Almond
Studio S Pilates, California
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